Excuses: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

This is Eve's response to the Lord asking her what she had done (Genesis 3:13).  So what exactly is Eve saying? She is saying “well,  yes I did it, but there were extenuating circumstances!” Last day we were talking about blame (not my fault), today we are dealing with blame's cousin,  “excuses!” In order to be forgiven by God we need to confess and turn from our wrong doing (1 John 1:9; Mark 1:15). The blame game is light years away from AA's 5th step “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”  Excuses are a little different, but not much. Excuses acknowledge that a wrong has been done, but as with blame, no responsibility is taken.   Eve's excuse was that she was deceived.  So is her excuse valid? Some excuses are, some are not! The full version of the verse I keep quoting is “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Probably true for females too! Yes she was deceived, the thing is though, she still suffered the consequences of her actions,  and so do we!

What I am saying, is that we cannot let life's circumstances or  unfairness derail us from taking responsibility for our lives.  Zuby, host of the “Real Talk with Zuby” podcasts says “We all confront our own struggles, pain, personal tragedies, and ultimately, death. So, while you’re here, I recommend making the most of the opportunity.”  And we can't do that without doing something about it our part in it all.

The genius of twelve-step programs leads us through what we need to do. Step 3 is: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Step 4 is: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. The God of my understanding is often called my “higher power.” Nobody has complete understanding of God,  or we would be God. But the greatest higher power is the One True God of the Bible (John 17:3).  I can do all things through Him,  not some cardboard replica of Him (Philippians 4:13).   And to tap into this promise, I also need to be growing in grace and in my knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18). Grace is the wherewithal, the practical help He gives.

In terms of the fearless moral inventory, we need with Eve to realize that our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). And the very first thing we need to do,  is to stop playing the blame game and making excuses.  Working the steps helps us to figure out what is our part and what is not. Again,  we call this taking care of our side of the street.  It involves asking for,  and giving forgiveness,  and making amends when and where appropriate (Step 8).  There is a lot of work to do before step 8.  We likely need over the long haul to show that we have changed before. Words are cheap, we need to bear fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8), and producing fruit takes time.


Father, Your Word shows me the path to life in all its fullness, it shows me where I got off the path, how to get back on,  and how to stay on,  the path (John 10:10b; 2 Timothy 3:16). Thank You for the promise that if I continue in Your Word I will know the truth and it will be progressively set me free. In Jesus Name Amen

The blame Game: “The woman You gave

to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). God had specifically asked Adam if He had eaten the forbidden fruit, and Adam immediately points to Eve.  Let's just think for a moment what he is saying. “I was helpless, I had no choice, what was I to do?”  Somebody offers you drugs, and you take them, or a friend  leaves a $100 bill in plain sight with nobody around, and you take it.  Do you blame the drug dealer for offering it, or your friend for leaving it there, declaring “it's not my fault?”  The popular speaker Jordon Peterson says that the room gets quiet when he suggests that people take responsibility for their actions.  What a novel idea!

It is strange to me, growing up in the 50's,  that this should come as such a huge revelation.  At that time society still largely embraced Judaeo-Christian values,  including responsibility. But from the 60's on,  the cry was for freedom from rules and regulations and such values. But is it really freedom to be unable to say no to drugs, or to temptation?  I'm not saying I always did that, and I an not saying “Do as I say, not as I do.” I am saying “Please don't do what I did it will cause you endless problems!” The verse I keep quoting says it well “we reap what we sow” (Galatians 6:7), bad choices have bad consequences.

You may have noticed that life is not fair, and I am the last one to say that we should not try and address injustices. From a personal point of view however, I need to ask myself if blaming everyone, or in fact anyone, for my situation is in my own best interest. I am not responsible for the bad things that happen to me, but I do have choices about how I respond the wrong done. And thinking of myself as a victim keeps me stuck in a very unhealthy place. I am not saying it's easy!

If the advice about not taking drugs is too late and you are addicted, you still have options. The first step of twelve-step programs is to admit our powerlessness over our addictions and compulsive behaviours. We are not completely powerless however, for we can choose, or not,  to be part of such a programme. And ultimately the steps are designed, step by step,  to bring us back to the place where we can take control of our lives. We call it taking care of our side of the street.  

The steps are genius level,  and are not just for those in addictions.  They are useful for every conceivable life issue,  including codependency. Many do not know that the founders of the original program (AA) were Christians,  and that the steps themselves are Biblically inspired.  They help us, for example, to deal with many  Biblical concepts such as unforgiveness, and bitterness and resentment. The steps are not the only route to an emotional healthy lifestyle, but one of their strengths is the support of others in recovery.

Father,  help me to come to terms with the fact that life is not fair.  It is so tempting to blame others, and it's not as if they don't deserve a lot of blame. But insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. So please help me to have reasonable expectations of myself and of life (1 Timothy 6:6). In Jesus Name Amen

Guilt: “Have you eaten from the tree

of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11). Guilt is different from shame.  Shame says “there is something wrong with me.” Guilt says “I did something wrong.” Our culture tries to pretend there's no such thing as right and wrong.  But you know wrong when it done to you! And we all have this inbred sense of justice. When we see discrimination or abuse, we instinctively feel that something should be done about it. It's part of being created in the image of God,  for God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18).

I said last day, that Adam's thinking was messed up. Much of our own thinking is messed up too, especially when we want to do what we want to do. Psychology calls it rationalization, the Bible calls it suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). Our culture  does this in spades! The Bible puts it this way “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.” In fact our culture calls evil good, and good evil.  And those who do evil encourage others to do evil too (Ecclesiastes  8:11; Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:32).

God could have struck Adam and Eve down the moment they had sinned. And He would have been justified in doing so.  Many people think God is like that,  just waiting for us to mess up so He can condemn us. But He's not like that. In fact He is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

God took a great risk in giving us free will.  But the ability to choose makes no sense if there's no possibility of saying no! He does not want heaven to be inhabited by robots,  rather He wants those who choose to love Him.  Heaven would be hell for those who hate God. And in God's eyes love and obedience,  and hate and disobedience,  are closely linked (John 14:15).

God had a problems with our fallen human nature, inherited from Adam. We all seem to have this negative response to rules. We see “wet paint, do not touch,” and what do we want to do?   God has to be just, it is His nature. He has to punish sin. But He is also merciful and has provided the way through repentance and faith to be just,  and the justifier of those who put their faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). To be justified is to be put right with God,  and to be at peace with Him (Romans 5:1).  I don't know if any of us fully understands how this works, but some have called it the divine exchange, Jesus takes our sin, and in exchange gives us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Father, Your laws cannot be broken. If we try to break the law of gravity it will break us, likewise with the moral law. But  moral laws are more like agricultural laws than the immediacy of physical laws. We reap what we sow, bad choices have bad consequences (Galatians 6:7).  But the reaping only becomes obvious with time. Only after I was broken by my sin did I come to my senses, and turn to You in repentance (Luke 15:17). You could then be just to take away my guilt,  and to forgive my sin (1 John 1:9; 2:2). For this and many other things,  I give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen

Negative self talk: Who told you, you were naked?

It's a good question. Likely Adam told himself, I mean nobody needs to tell us to feel shame! In asking this question (Genesis 3:11),  the Lord is inviting Adam to think about his thinking.  All creatures created on day six (1:24)  have some limited ability to think. But only we who are created in the image of God can think about our thinking (1:27). It's called metacognition, and it allows us, for example, to evaluate the way we learn, and to strategize. It also allows us to figure out what parts of our thinking are toxic. Adam's thinking was messed up, it was his disobedience, not his nakedness, that was the problem (2:25, 17; 3:6).  And I dare say that we all have toxic thoughts at some level. We have been looking at toxic shame where we tell ourselves “I am a mistake, I'm flawed,  I'm a looser” (I am naked Genesis 3:10).

Modern research has some interesting things to say about thinking.  Dr Carolyn Leaf tells that every though comes with an emotion attached, and that when we obsess on something,  it amplifies the emotion. Obsessing on an angry thought, for example, increases the  anger. In fact what we think about consistently affects our emotional and mental health. The bulk of the research seems to be on the negative side. In recovery circles we call negative self talk 'stinking thinking.' But certainly positive thinking, healthy emotions and positive health are interconnected.  Concerning the power of positive thinking however, there seems to be some exaggerated claims out there, including from the faith community.

Speaking of the faith community, the Bible provides us with empowering principles and promises.  Our battle (struggle) over negative self talk has spiritual roots (Ephesians 6:12). But the person of faith has tools, weapons as it were, to take authority over our thought life (Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).  It's not just about shutting down our negative thoughts however.  We are, for example, to replace anxious thoughts with all kinds of prayer, and most importantly with thanksgiving. When we do this we are promised  the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The same passage then admonishes to think about what is good and noble and profitable (Philippians 4:4-8).

I have found this to be a process, and when I find myself returning to old thought patterns,  I gently re-exert  the authority I am given over them. I do not beat myself up over my slips. One of the benefits of unconditional acceptance by God (Colossians 1:12) and others, is that I do not need to stress when I fail. A child learning to walk does not beat itself up when it falls, it simply tries again. We are called to be child-like in this way in all our growth.   

Some of the things that empower negative thinking, are the lies we believe about God, and about ourselves. It's particularly important to believe what God thinks about us. God does not show favouritism (Acts 10:34), and so He thinks about us the same way He thinks about His Son. We are His beloved children in whom He is well pleased (Mark 1:11).

Father I love the song by Godfrey Birtill, sung as You Yourself asking us  “Do you believe what I believe about you? You are beautiful, so precious too.” Like a loving Father with his child, You think we are amazing! We believe Lord, help our unbelief, in Jesus Name Amen

Shame's prison: I was naked, I was afraid, I hid

In their handbook “Restoring the Foundations,” Chester and Betsy Kylstra describe shame's prison as a vicious cycle as follows: Shame says “I am a mistake, I am flawed,  I am bad,  I am ashamed,  I am defective” (I am naked). Fear says “What if they find out? They will not like me! They will reject me!” (I was afraid). Control says “Therefore I will control everything,  so they won’t find out what I’m really like, and I won't get hurt or suffer pain” (I hide myself). Control then cycles back to shame.  Shame flourishes and grows in isolation, we are only as sick as our secrets, it's a prison of our own making.

Shame will not go away on it's own.  And someone trapped in this  vicious cycle is likely to seek out places where they don't ask too many questions. Shame based systems are formed. There are shame based families,  and even shame based churches. These vicious cycles can be broken, but not easily, and it takes great courage. It usually starts by an individual gradually coming out of hiding in a safe place. This can be a therapist, a counsellor or a friend. It seems to work best in the fellowship of those who are also coming out of hiding, in particular in twelve-step-programs. There is safety in the anonymity and confidentiality to be found there, and those with the same problem are unlikely to judge or reject you.

Twelve-step-program are genius level,  and in fact Biblically inspired.  They work best when my higher power, the god of my understanding (step 3),  is the God of the Bible.  When He is our higher power,  have available to us  all the principles and promises of the Word, and the power of the One who brought order out of chaos (the Holy Spirit - Genesis 1:2).

Step 5 is  we “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”  And whether we want to admit it or not, we all fail in many things. We don't even live up to our on standards, let alone God's (James 3:2; Romans 7:18). Adam  blamed Eve (3:12), showing he was not ready to even start this step.   He was not ready to admit his wrong either to God or to himself, and of course admitting,  saying sorry and asking for forgiveness can also be miles apart! But the restoration of any relationship start with  these things. Bringing the Kingdom to relationships, requires the same openness and vulnerability Adam and Eve had before the fall (Genesis 2:25).  It's what we need to aim for in the closet of all relationships,  namely marriage. It's a process. It won't happen over night, and not until we are willing to confess our faults one to another. This is the very opposite of blame, and it's the path to healing  (James 5:16).

Lord Jesus we can't enter into fullness of life without You.  But one of the reasons You came,  was to heal the broken hearted,  and to set prisoners free, especially from prisons of our own making (Luke 4:18). Thank you for Your promise that if we continue in Your Word,  obeying it, putting it into practise,  and  trusting You for the outcome,  then we will know the truth,  and the truth will progressively set us free (John 8:31, 32). Help us to find (or create) safe places Lord,  and then give us the courage to come out of hiding, in Your precious Name Amen

Shame: I was naked,

I was afraid,  I hid myself (Genesis 3:10).  Before the fall,  Adam and Eve were naked,  and they were not ashamed (2:25). But with the fall everything changed. If you've ever thought “if anyone ever found out, I would die,” you were likely feeling what Adam was feeling. It's called shame.  And with Adam, our likely reaction is to hide.  Though they are related, guilt and shame are not the same thing. A little simplistically guilt says 'I have done something wrong.'  If nakedness was not wrong before the fall,  it was not wrong afterwards. Adam of course was guilty of disobedience, but he points to his nakedness. Shame says 'there is something wrong with me. If people really knew what I was like, they would reject me!' Shame cares more about what other people think about us, than what God thinks about us. It undermines our our true identity as beloved children of the living God. The world calls this self worth. Most of us don't like ourselves very much, but God does.  These feeling are rooted in shame.

Mother Teresa has an interesting saying, “nakedness is not just for a piece of cloth.” We feel shame in a variety of situations including embarrassing exposure, rejection, abuse or being bullied, defeat, failure,  being different or left out.  In ancient times being barren (childless) was a source of shame. Feelings are complex and likely shame is a part of other emotions, such as feeing inferior, inadequate, and not up for the job.

There's a wrong way to deal with shame, it's called shamelessness, and there are basically two types. There is brazen shamelessness, that's marked by impudent boldness, and or a blatant disregard for the rules or morality. The Lord complained about rebellious Israel  saying “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush” (Jeremiah 6:15).

The other kind of shamelessness is self righteousness,  a holier than thou attitude. “I have no shame because I am perfect.” Such people  understand neither the depth of our universal sinful nature, nor that this attitude it is smoke in the Lord's nostrils (Isaiah 65:6). Self righteousness is accompanied by a lukewarm self satisfaction. The Lord warns about those who say “I am rich, I have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”  They do not know that they are wretched, miserable, poor and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17).

Jesus was crucified naked on the cross, no tastefully place loincloth for Him! In this way He bore both our sin and our shame, so that we do not need to bear it ourselves (Matthew 27:35; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 54:4).  It is one of the benefits of salvation, of being put right with God.  He offers this poetically in Revelation 3:18  saying “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.” There is much more to say!

Lord Jesus salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8, 9), but it is more costly than gold. It cost You everything. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for Your friends (John 15:13).  Thank You Lord that You have clothed us with the garments of salvation,  covered us with a robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10).  Thank You Lord that I no longer need to live in shame in Your precious Name Amen

I was afraid

because I was naked. In fear, Adam hide from God (Genesis 3:9). There is a healthy kind of fear, fear that leads us to be cautious in the face of danger.  It is this same kind of fear that helps us to choose the good, we won't get in trouble. In speaking about governing authorities Paul suggests that rulers are not a terror to those who do good, but to those who do evil. It's not absolute, because we should obey God rather than man (Romans 13:3; Acts 14:9). It became clear,  soon after I decided to follow the Lord,  that most of my good behaviour was about not getting into trouble,  not because I was basically good (Galatians 6:7).  

It's the healthy kind of fear that's meant in Psalms 111:10 and 33:18.  They read  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy.” Part of what is being said here, is that His commandments are there for our provision and our protection. He is good  (Luke 18:19), and His plan for us is that we live in the fullness of life.  And a little too late, the fear that Adam was feeling,  was part of the death that was automatically set in motion when he obeyed the serpent rather than God (John 10:10; Romans 8:13).  But there is another kind of fear, a fear that debilitates us.  Now both Hebrew and Greek have but a single word for both types.  But  which it is,  is clear from the context, i.e.  fear of the Lord vs.  fear of man.

When we live our lives in the protective armour of God,  we don't need to fear. That does not mean we won't struggle with it (Ephesians 6:10-18). Over and over we are commanded not to fear in this second sense. We don't need to fear, because the Lord is with us, and the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them (i.e. Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 34:7).  

In fact it is the first kind of fear that in meant in these next couple of verses.  “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment. But he who fears  (punishment) has not been made perfect in love”  (1 John 4:17, 18). The fear spoken in this verses then, is Adam's fear,  the fear of punishment. When Jesus' love has been fully perfected in us, we are indeed like Him, even while we are still in the world. The point is that His practical and tangible love has the power to transform us into His likeness. We are also being transformed by the renewing of our minds. And part of this is our experience of the security of His love when we embrace the fact that there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:2; 8:1). It is, of course a process!

Father, this is awesome Lord. To fear You is the beginning of wisdom.  But the more we embrace Your love and Your truth, the more we become like You. Fear diminishes,  confidence for Judgement day increases,  and we walk more and more in fullness of life.  You are good Lord,  You are love, and Your Mercy endures forever! We praise You in Jesus Name Amen

Where are you Adam?

I keep saying that God the Father often gets a bad rap, and part of this is that we too often identify Him with our less than perfect earthly fathers. I know I did. But if we want to know what Father God is like,  we just need to look at Jesus (John 14:9). And He came to seek and to save that which is lost (you and me without Him – Luke 19:10). And what the Father is doing here in Genesis 3:9 is seeking Adam. Adam was afraid because he was naked, and had hidden from God, he was lost! God wasn't asking because He didn't know where Adam was, I mean He's God, He knows everything! He was in fact calling Adam home back to Himself. He calls us home too.  But we likely won't hear proactively, until we know we are lost,   how would even know we need to saved (rescued)?

For most of us,  coming to the  place where we can acknowledge that without Him we are lost, is a journey. Some never arrive! In recovery circles we call it coming to the end of ourselves, to our bottom.  In my own case I needed a series of ever deeper bottoms before I was willing to admit that I even needed to change. I had sown wind, and had reaped the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). But I was still not willing to admit I was lost, and I set out to improve myself. Through trying, I discovered with Paul, that I couldn't do the good things I wanted to do, and I couldn't stop doing the things I knew were wrong, the things that had got me into trouble in the first place (Romans 7:19).  So it was some time from knowing I needed to change,  until I came to the place where could admit I was lost and needed help.  It was very painful. It's called pride! In the words of  twelve-step-programs, I needed a higher power.  A higher power is someone or something greater than myself.  Some higher powers are more helpful than others. For some their hight power is their mother,  or their friends,  or even a cup of coffee. For me I chose the creator of the universe as my higher power, the One who spoke and stars were flung into space. There is no higher power!  I have been accused as using God as a crutch.  But I find Him more like a brand new pair of legs, and I don't see anyone who without Him who is not limping!

One of the things I struggled with was my emotions, in particular with what I was wanting or not wanting to do. The saying seems to be true that we don't do addictions to get high, we do addictions to mediate the pain. My higher power promises to change our wrong desires as well as give us the wherewithal to do His will. But in order to tap into this,  we need to give it our all (Philippians 2:12, 13). Half measures availed us nothing!

Father the message of the cross is foolishness to those can't admit they are lost. But to we who are being rescued,  it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).  Even as believer I don't fully understand it, but I do know that I am ransomed,  healed,  restored and forgiven. And for these and many other things I give you thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen

But can't you make the Bible say anything you want?

Well yes,  and using the same rules of interpretation you can make the dictionary say the very same thing. So I've stopped using the dictionary! Thank the Lord for spellcheck. My tongue in cheek reply points to the need for hermeneutics, the study of interpretation. A related subject is textual criticism, it studies which of the handed down texts are closest to the original. Figuring these things out is part of loving Him with all our mind (Mark 12:30). A good place to start, for these and related issues, is with the alpha series videos, available on Youtube.

Making the Bible say what we want it to say is called twisting Scripture.  And Peter warns that it leads to the destruction of those doing it (2 Peter 3:16). But we are all biased at some level,  and in order, as much as possible to eliminate this, we need to listen across time and geography to those with a very high view of Scripture.  I find the statements of faith of para-church organizations useful here. Since they seek to minister across denominational lines,  their  statements of faith have been forged and refined in the furnace of interdenominational dialogue. I can recommend those of International Fellowship of international students (IFES) and Operation Mobilization. I believe their statement have identified well,  the non-negotiable essentials, that is teachings that we all need to hold firmly as true. On other things we can agree to disagree for the sake of unity. The physical bodily resurrection of Christ is an agreed non-negotiable essential. We can disagree on whether parts of Genesis are history or allegory. On the other hand many of the things taught through the Genesis stories belong to the collection of non-negotiable essentials  (c.f. Hebrews 6:1, 2).

Repeated themes are important, salvation (how we are put right with God) for example. John writes “to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). It's repeated in John 3:16 and Hebrews 6:1, 2.  Ephesians 2:8, 9 tells us salvation is a gift,  not something we can earn, so no one can boast. The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity.  If it's not true Christianity falls apart, our faith is vain,  we are still be in our sins and excluded from paradise (1 Corinthians 15: ).

The world tries to tell us that truth is unknowable. But if you wonder if murder wrong (Exodus 20:13), you'll know it is, the moment  somebody tries to kill you. Jesus makes an extraordinary promise that “If you continue in My Word you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32). It is testable! Continuing here is about being a disciple, an apprentice to Jesus, consistently following Him in ongoing obedience to His leading and teaching. (John 17:7). He promises that we will be free indeed when we do this (John 8:34).

Lord Jesus,  You have told us that anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether Your teaching comes from God or whether You  speak on Your own (John 17:7). In other words truth is established through obedience! On the other hand disobedience suppresses the truth (Romans 1:20). Thank You Lord that when we fully surrender to You, You give us the grace (help) to obey. You even change our wrong desires (Philippians 2:12,12). For these an many other things we give You thanks and praise in Your precious Name Amen

Three alienations: Then their eyes were opened ...

..  they knew that they were naked,  and they sewed fig leaves together for  coverings. And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:7, 8). They had eaten the forbidden fruit, and were now experiencing the spiritual death God had warned them about ( Ephesians 2:1; Genesis 2:17).  Part of that death was of the loss of intimacy of their previously open,  loving,  mutually accepting relationship. Vulnerability is no longer safe in a world where you are likely to get the blame for what goes  wrong (verse 12)!  The fig leaves were there as walls of protection from each other. Lack of openness, transparency and an unwillingness to be vulnerable, is likely the first step in the breakdown of any intimate relationship. This is the first alienation.

Of course,  this side of the fall it only makes sense to be careful who,  and what,  we let in. Many of us discovered, even in childhood, that to show difference or weakness invites others to bully and/or judge us.  At all costs we must not appear weak. Image is everything! We use denial,  and other defence mechanisms,  to protect ourselves.  We wear masks, Adam and Eve wore fig leaves! Conforming to the superficial values of the world, beauty, success, intelligence, strength etc., we project an image that we so often start to believe ourselves. In the process we develop a false self we don't even like. Our personalities becomes fragmented, and there is war within. This is the second alienation.  

Like Adam and Eve many of us fear God (verse 10).  We think that He is just out to get us, just waiting for us to mess up so He can condemn us. And so in a multitude of ways we too hide from Him, even denying His existence. This is the third alienation.  But God, and it's a huge 'but,' but God has provided a way to gracious to us, so that He can be both just and merciful in reconciling us to Himself (Isaiah 30:18). God offers reconciliation with Himself as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8). We do however, need to turn from our sin (repent) and receive and believe this good news (Mark 1:15; John 1:12).  

God's unconditional acceptance and none-condemnation takes the pressure off, and gives us the freedom to change (Romans 8:1). The genius behind twelves step programs reflects this, and gives us a safe place where, again without condemnation, there is freedom to change at our own pace. Working the steps is a way of proactively facilitating the reconciliation of the three alienations. It's about bringing the Kingdom to earth in relationships.  Our part in these three reconciliations has a lot to do with taking responsibility for our part in what went wrong,  saying sorry and forgiving others (James 5:16; Ephesians 4:32).  It's also about coming out of hiding, allowing God to remove our fig leaves, extending acceptance to others, and neither expecting them to be perfect,  nor trying to fix or change them. It's about  realizing I am the only one I can change.  And that I can only do that well with God's help.

Father,  You had a plan from the beginning for reconciliation in all three areas. In fact You were in Christ reconciling the world to Yourself, not counting our sins against us.  And You have committed to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). We ask for Help to do this,  Lord in Jesus Name Amen

Paradise lost, Kingdom come on earth

One of the things that puzzled me for a long time,  was a report that came out of the 90's revival in Pond Inlet, a community in Northern Canada (search Youtube). Following the revival, both the berries and the caribou, which had been absent,  returned to the land. But one of the many things that intercessors have been claiming in these days, is the promise that if  God's people humble themselves, pray and we turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). So the healing of the land is literal, and it's part (but only part) of our prayer “Kingdom of God come on earth” (Matthew 6: ).  

In Genesis 1:31 we saw that everything God had made, was very good.  But there are certainly things  that are not very good,  paradise is lost! There are wars and rumours of wars, there is something wrong in relationships. There are violent storms, earthquakes, famines, diseases etc.,  something is wrong with creation. In terms of relationships, we live in an age that is reluctant to call anything wrong. But, at least in the movies,  we still like to talk about the good guys and the bad guys! The Bible labels what the bad guys do as sin. It's not a popular word today. For the moment,  let's think of sin as wrong doing. The Bible put is this way “all have sinned and fallen short of God glory” (Romans 3:23). I mean nobody's perfect right?  Not even me!

It was created good, but is no longer good, so what happened? The Biblical answer, is that something about human nature, something about creation itself itself died the day Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 2:17). The Bible calls it the curse, meaning that sin changed the very fabric of reality (Genesis 3:17-19).  Creation itself is said to be groaning under the curse,  awaiting the appearing of the sons of God (Romans 8:22, 19), when creation will be made new (2 Peter 3:13).

Kingdom come on earth then is about reversing the curse. When Jesus came the first thing He said was that the Kingdom of God (paradise regained) is at hand, ready to break through. With His advent, the Kingdom, God's rule on earth has begun. He healed the sick and stilled storms.  When the Kingdom comes in its fullness,  death and the curse will be swallowed up through His victory over death (Isaiah 25:8; Romans 1:4).  On the cross He literally became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:18).

As in 2 Chronicles 7:14 we have an essential part to play in bringing in the Kingdom.  It starts by receiving  and putting our faith in Him This establishes us as God's children (teknon), as babes in Christ (John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:1). Creation however, is waiting for the appearance of the children (sons- huios) of God (Romans 8:19). The huios are mature sons (and daughters),  and soldiers for King Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3, 4). They are those who are of full age, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).  There is much to say.

Father, behind the phrase “constant use” is the principle that unrighteousness suppress truth, but obedience establishes it (Romans 1:20; John 8:31, 32).  In accordance with 2 Chronicles please forgive us Lord for our  lukewarmness. Give us grace to be living sacrifices, no longer living for ourselves but for You. In this way we put feet to our prayer “Kingdom come on earth,”  in Jesus Name Amen

Male and female created He them: Gender identity

A popular song from my youth went like this “I'm strictly a female female. And my future I hope will be,  in the home of a brave and free male, who'll enjoy being a guy, having a girl like me.” I reflects not only traditional values,  but the view that until recently was held by everyone that there are two and only two sexes,  and only two genders.

Fifty years ago likely 99%+ of the population had never even heard of the term gender dysphoria which, until 2013 was officially regarded as a disorder.  It is currently defined as the distress a person feels due to a mismatch between their gender identity—their personal sense of their own gender—and their sex assigned at birth.   We need to have compassion on anyone suffering gender dysphoria distress. Those with compassion will also want to condemn the violence and discrimination that has so often been perpetrated on entire LGBTQ+ community.  But we do need to think carefully about how to address these issues.

Treatments for this “non-disorder” gender dysphoria are radical,  and essentially irreversible. They include sex change surgery and hormone treatment.  One statistic puts transgender regret at 8% or higher. But these statistics do not reflect the effect of the current propaganda targeting ever younger children,  and making it cool to want to transition. What is particularly disturbing are moves by Governments to forcibly remove children from parents not willing to actively affirm a different gender identity. Research shows that many grow out of these feelings by adolescence. On top of this, the process of growing up includes the slow process of learning who we are, and there is strong tendency to identify with our problems. I have struggled with alcohol, but my struggle is not who I am. I am a loved and valued child of the living God (1 John 3:1).

Other issues are raised by an article on sexual experiences in transgender people. It's full of understatements such as “Being able to enjoy sex is, to many people, an important aspect of their general well-being,” and  treatment is “likely to influence the sexual experiences of transgender persons.”  

Underlying the difficulties of conducting clinical trails on this type of populations, the article was careful to stresses that the research was non-clinical. What is also difficult to objectively ascertain from a research point of view,  is the influence political correctness, and the pressure it exerts to suppress transgender and other forms of regret.  It's pretty clear that organizations such as the American Psychological Society have removed things previously diagnosed as disorders due to political and social pressure, rather than from objective research. In addition. feelings, including “a  personal sense of my own gender,” are unreliable.  Bias is everywhere, so I look to the biology, and biology and the Bible agree. In particular male and female created He them  (Genesis 1:27). Having said that we are all image bearers of God and need to be treated with dignity and respect.

Father, You are certainly touched with our feelings of infirmity (ref ),  including those of gender dysphoria. But I'm not at all sure it is compassionate to encourage someone to rush to transition,  when they may well seriously regret it later. This is particularly true for children. Only in my sixties was I finally able to fully embrace my true identity as Your child. Give us courage to speak up about these things Lord, and the wisdom and grace to do it with sensitivity.  Why should I fear man who will die (Isaiah 51:12)?  In Jesus Name Amen

Eve deceived: The heart of the matter is the heart

If we think we cannot be deceived, we already are. I mean why would the Scriptures tell us not to be deceived (Galatians 6:7),  if it were not possible? The Bible links deception, faith and heart matters together. “Make sure that you do not have an evil unbelieving heart, so that you will not be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:12, 13).  It startled me, to learn that God regards unbelief as evil. But consider that Eve's unbelieving heart (the mind and the emotions) lead to her disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6), that that allowed sin and evil to enter humanity,  and then to quickly escalate exponentially from there (Genesis 4ff).  “Sin’s deceitfulness” is what the World call rationalization. If we want to do something even if it's wrong,  we will find a thousand reasons to tell ourselves why it's okay. It's  called self deception.  'Been there, done that,  bought the T-shirt!

Consider also Jesus' Words that evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander, that all these things  originate in the heart (Matthew 15:19).  There is evidence that thoughts lead to actions, that actions lead to habits, and habits form our character. Perhaps this is why Jesus tells us that looking at a woman lustfully is the same as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28). Interestingly, we have learnt through Dr. Caroline Leaf (Youtube) and others, that every thought has an emotion attached, and that persistent thoughts carve out neural pathways in the brain. Positively,  neural pathways produce shortcuts in the brain that allow humanity the incredible skills we have,  such skill as reading or playing musical instruments etc. Negatively they lead to addictions, and emotions,  such as anger,  are amplified and established as recurring patters simply by our obsessing on things. Who would have known the Bible understood all this thousands of years ago?

We are warned to guard our hearts diligently, and to do so because out of the heart flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). In particular we need to declare war in negativity. The believer is not left without help in this area. Based on Romans 8:13 and Galatians 5:24 I have often prayed “Lord help me to do my part in putting to death the deeds and the desires of the sinful nature.” We are to do these things “by the Spirit.”  In particular self control is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). And the fruit grows as we abide in the vine of His love  (John 15:5, 9).  I am reminded of a recovering saying here “half measures availed us nothing.” It seems to me that there is no one more miserable than a half committed believer.  We can't even enjoy our sin! Paul would say that Christ died in order that those of us who live should no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15).


Father, one little transgression and the world was plunged into sin. If You are not Lord of all, You are not Lord at all!  As to deception Father,  Your Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any double edged sword. It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). So Lord, please help us Lord to hide Your Word in our hearts so that we might not sin against You (Psalm 119:11). Truly the heart of the matter is the heart. With Your help Lord, we commit to keep it with all diligence,  in Jesus Name Amen

Death: The last enemy

God had told Adam and Eve that in the day they ate the forbidden fruit they would die.  Nevertheless they ate (Genesis 2:17; 3:6). And whether you understand this as spiritual death (c.f. Ephesians 2:1), or if you understand day as a season (as in my father's day), they did indeed die (start to die) on that day! We don't like to think about of death, but we cannot avoid it, since we all die. The good news however (the gospel), is that Jesus has conquered death and tells us “He (she) who has faith in Me, though they may die, they shall live”  (John 11:25, 26).

It was God's intention that mankind should live forever and never die. That is why He placed the tree of life in paradise (the garden 2:9).  But paradise would not be paradise if sin were present. In fact, to live forever and ever in a sinful state, would be a form of hell. And so after Adam and Eve had, by their free choice, embraced sin, it was necessary for them to be expelled from paradise “lest he eat of the tree of life, and live forever” (3:22). If it seems harsh, it's because very few of us realize either the seriousness of sin, or the holiness of God. The point, is than in our denial and rationalization we tend to minimize and excuse our wrong doing. But He is God, and He sets the standard as perfection. That is why just one disobedience brought death. We may not like it, but we don't get to set the rules.  Over against this however,  He has provided a way for us to cheat death, and to live both fullness of life in the here and now, and pleasures forevermore in paradise (1 Peter 3:18; John 10:10b; Psalm 16:11; Revelation 21:4).

We probably know people who hate God. And actually, many who deny His existence, are probably just mad at Him. But we have all sinned, and in our minimizing and excusing, we likely don't realize that sin makes us enemies of God (Romans 3:23; 5:10).  But  even while we were His enemies, God demonstrated His tangible love for us by sending His Son to die as a substitute,   the righteous One for we the unrighteous. In this way He was able to be both just, and yet able reconcile us to Himself (Romans 3:26, 5:8, 10; 1 Peter 3:18). Famously “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever puts his faith in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Putting our faith in Him involves repenting (Mark 1:15). It's about changing our mind about sin, and choosing to no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who loved us and gave Himself for us (2 Corinthians 5:15). When we receive Him in this way He adopts us as His children  (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1).

Thank You Lord that You showed Your power over death by raising Jesus from the dead (Romans 1:4).  Thank You too for Your promise that those who put their trust in You will also be raised to life (1 Corinthians 15:29).   Thank You Lord that our last enemy death will  itself be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). Indeed there will be neither death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There will be no more pain (Revelation 21:4), and we will be with You forever in paradise (1 Thessalonians 4:17). For these and many other things we praise and thank You Lord,  in Jesus Name Amen

Peer pressure: She gave, he ate

Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit, she offered it to Adam,  and he ate (Genesis 3:1-6). Eve was deceived, but Adam was not (1 Timothy 2:14).  Adam knew full well what he was doing was wrong,  and he also knew the consequences “the day you eat of it you will die.”  But he did it anyway.  We need to consider Adam's unenviable dilemma here. What was he going to do? Was he going to tell her she was wrong,  and risk a breach in the relationship?  A line from a song from my youth comes to mind “two lovely black eyes,“ oh what a surprise. Only for telling a gal she was wrong, two lovely black eyes!”  Which one of us,  at one time or another,  has not reacted the way Adam did? It's called peer pressure.

I have noticed that by and large Anglican seminaries produce Anglicans, Baptist seminary produce Baptists, Pentecostal seminaries produce Pentecostals etc.  Likely there are a multitude of reasons, but a big part of it is surely the pressure to fit in, the need to not be different.  But it's not just faith communities where this sort of thing happens. It is widespread in people groups,  and in society in general. We see it in political circles, we see it in academia.  If you think outside the box, you are likely to be ostracized (I speak from experience). We see it in the helping professions and in Psychology which, contrary to Science,  have clearly bowed at times to politically correct ideology. It is changing, but it is not that long ago,  that traditional and chiropractic medicine were mortal enemies. This last phenomenon is described well by David Berlinski. He said that most people think that what they are doing is the most important thing in the world, even if it's rolling cigars in Havana!

But perhaps the most disturbing phenomenon related to peer pressure is the cancel culture, where people are dismissed from jobs or banned in various ways,  for saying something that does not conform to politically correct doctrine. Rick Warren has put his finger on what lies behind this when he says  “Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you must agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”  Jesus is our supreme example here. When they brought Him the woman taken in adultery He did not condemn her, but speaking the truth in love, You told her to go and sin no more (John 8:1-11; Ephesians 4:15).

These same lies lie behind the persistent attack on free speech, and the growing public support for its abolition. The Scripture speaks to this when it says “The first to speak seems to be right until his neighbour comes and examines him” (Proverbs 18:17). But if his neighbour is not allowed to examine him,  the error will remain unchallenged. What ever happened to “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” We cannot allow simple disagreement to be labeled hate speech.

Holy Spirit please lead us away from situations where like Eve we are drawn away and deceived. And when we encounter peer pressure please give us the wisdom and the courage to know when and where and how to speak the truth in love in Jesus Name Amen

The Fall: “When the woman saw

that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate” (Genesis 3:6).  It was the perfect storm for Eve. The Serpent had cast doubt onto what God had said (verse 2), told her an outright lie (“you will not surely die” – verse 5), and she was hit with a stronghold of temptations. It consisted of a combination of three interdependent, familiar temptations.  John identifies them as “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” He adds they are “not of the Father but of the world” (1 John 2:16).

The word lust here has to do with a strong desire or craving, unrestrained passion, especially for what is forbidden.  The lust of the flesh then, is anything that caters to our to the worldly nature. It was “good for food!”  We need food of course, but lust for food leads to gluttony and drunkenness. More generally it is talking about all bodily appetites.  Sexual lust is certainly there, but it includes all that is connected with indulgence,  unbridled passion, anger, rage, jealousy etc.  Much of the world lives for little more than this.

“It was pleasant to the eyes:” The lust of the eyes is about all that appeals to the eyes; the things money can buy;  things of beauty that inflame us.  Other things that come to mind include clothes, jewellery, gorgeous homes,  furniture, cars, boats, yachts etc.  The words translated here as pleasant and desire (verse 6) and also covet,  are very close in the Hebrew. To covet is to desire in a bad sense of out of control selfish desire. “Do not to covet” is one of the ten commandments of course (Exodus 20:17). In the New Testament, covetousness is called idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

The pride of life (“desirable to make one wise”),  is literally "arrogant assumption," boasting, the thirst for honour and applause, high titles etc. (Matthew 23:6).  As already mentioned, the serpent had tempted Eve “You will be like God” (3:5). The wisdom Eve was desiring from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, was forbidden (2:17). James tells us the wisdom that comes from “envy and self-seeking in our hearts, does not come from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”  He says “where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:14-17). This was not the wisdom Eve was desiring. It is worth asking ourselves what do we desire (lust after)!

Father, echoing “the day that you eat of it you will die,” we read that  the mind set on the sinful nature is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5, 6). This side of the fall in order to have life, we need with the help of the Spirit, to put to death both the deeds and the desires of the sinful nature (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24). Thank You again Lord that when we do these things, You work both in our desires, and in the wherewithal to do  Your will  (Philippians 2:12, 13). We have all blown it Lord! Thank You for forgiveness when confess (1 John 1:9).   For these and many other things we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen

You will be like God

As I was meditating on this phrase from the story of the Serpent beguiling Eve (Genesis 3:1-5), William Ernest Henley's poem Invictus, came to mind.  The last line reads “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”  Being made in God's image (Genesis 1:26),  mankind has enormous gifts and potential, and what we have achieved is nothing less than spectacular. Most of us fail to reach our God given potential however, and if the poem encourages you to do your very, very best, I can only say “go for it – seize the day!”  But actually being God like in that I am in control of my fate?  You have to be kidding!

Quite apart from the more obvious things that affect us, like the weather, or the tides (shades of King Canute), there's a lot of other things over which we have little, or no,  control.  Johny Baker (“Life's Healing Choices”), lists several areas where we try to exercise control, and at various levels fail (unless you are in denial!).  We try to control what other people think about us,  by both limiting what we allow them to see, and by wearing masks to cover our weaknesses and hidden addictions. We try to control other people through manipulation, anger, or punishing silences, and we reap shallowness of relationships as a result. We try to control our behaviour and our problems. But with Paul we do what we don't want to do, and don't do what we want to do (Romans 7:19). We try to control our pain, especially our emotional pain. We medicate it, run from it, deny it, try to postpone it.  No we are not in control, and it's really very scary!

Pride was the Devil's sin.  He said “I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14). It is also ours! I got angry years ago, when told that pride was a sin. I wonder why! I was full of pride,  I was full of, well lots of things! It wasn't the kind of pride that gives us satisfaction of a job well done. It was the kind that expresses itself as “Nobody is going to tell me what to do, not you, not the Law, not even God!”

It was trying to play God!  But that can also come out of seemingly good motives. I want to help people, I want to help them change their toxic behaviour. I learned the hard way that the only person I have the possibility to change is me, and that most people don't want advice. I have had to resign as the caretaker of the universe on a number of occasions! I am not God, I have limits, and when I try to live as if I do not, I am in essence playing God.  I also found out that I can actually do a lot more when I surrender,  day by day,  moment by moment,  to His will and leading.  I also found that this is what satisfies me, brings peace, hope and meaning to life. Who knew that His way would be best?

Father,  please forgive us for all the ways we try to pay God. Thank You for forgiveness and cleansing. Please show us any area that still needs to be surrendered to You,  and brought under your Lordship. Thank You Lord,  that You who began this good work in us, will keep right on doing it until that day we see You face to face (Philippians 1:6) in Jesus Name Amen

Temptation: Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat

of every tree of the garden’ (Genesis 3:1)? “In the day that You eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die (Genesis 2:17).  Temptation, is a universal experience. James tells us that we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own desires and enticed (James 1:14).  But drawn away from what? Last day we were saying that the essence of life,  both life eternal and in all its fullness, is in relationship with God.  Since all wrong doing (sin),  separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:2), we are primarily drawn away from His presence.  But also, since the one who sins becomes addicted to sin, and only the truth sets us free (John 8:34, 32), then we are also drawn away from truth.  Finally, we are also drawn away from the  protection of obedience “you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

There has to be something attractive to entice us (entrap, catch us as with a bait), or we would not be tempted. Few of us are tempted to eat dirt! But let's not pretend that there is no pleasure in sin. It is however both fleeting (Hebrews 11:25),  and addictive. Being tempted is not sin,  in and of itself. However, it too easily leads to the next stage that “desire conceives and then gives birth to sin” (James 1:15).  How many of us have flirted with the darkness?  Hormones are aroused,  and in our imagination we contemplate the delight of what it would be like.  This is so dangerous, Jesus could declare that we have already committed adultery in our hearts (Matthew 5:28).

I knew some of the things I was doing were wrong. I either didn't know, or didn't care (until I did) about the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7), that is bad choices have bad consequences. But I kept bumping up against the reality that this is how it is. It was certainly not the abundant life (John 10:10b)! James' teaching concludes with “and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”  We will talk more about this means.  In the meantime,  we might not like the way the universe is, but it is what it is, and it was designed to bring us to repentance, to our turning from sin,  and embracing the the free gift of life (Mark1:15).

In the end the choice is simple, we either choose life, or we choose death. But the Serpent is a deceiver, and he uses doubt and temptation (enticement) as a kind of pincer movement on our senses. We can choose what we think we want, but no matter how hard we try,  we cannot choose to not suffer the consequences of our choices.  And many times we try very hard, even denying the pain, but in reality, we suffer even more. The consequences are intended to bring us back into our right mind, and into the arms of the Father (Luke 15:17-20). For many of us,  we were not willing to change until the pain of those consequences became greater than the fear and pain of change.

Father, we thought that doing what we wanted to do,  was freedom. But as Jesus said,  the one who sins is addicted to sin. On the other hand true freedom is found in continuing in Your word, meditating on it and obeying it (John 8:31-34).  True freedom is being able to choose to not do what harms us. Thank You for the truth of Your Word  in Jesus Name Amen

Did God really say (Genesis 3:1): Doubt and Faith

Have you ever heard it said that if you happened to have been born in a different part of the world,  you would be of a different faith? A little simplistically the word is divided in two, those who tend to accept whatever they are told about God without question, and those who are skeptical of everything to do with Him. For various reasons, many in the first group transition to the second! But then there are also those in both groups who transition to a more reasoned faith. For this third group, doubt plays an important role.  In many circles doubt is regarded as the enemy, but as Oz Guinness writes (“In two minds”) this is “to fail to see the positive results, such as detecting error. Even more crucial, however, is the need for one to be able openly to face doubt and to work toward resolution rather than to suppress it, and suffer the attack of a more foreboding power at a later time.”

Working towards resolution, is not something we do well. We need to take our time, and be suspicious of those who have an answer to every question. We need to admit it when we don't know. Many have embraced inadequate and unconvincing answers which do disservice to the Kingdom.  It has taken me nearly fifty years, to arrive where I am, in these early chapters of Genesis. And honestly, there are still things I need to work through!

The Bible defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). We do not arrive there by reason, but if we are to give “a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15), then we will certainly need to work through our doubts. It is a process. In his response to the criticism that all faith is blind Schaeffer has the following illustration. You are on the Matterhorn and a cloud comes down. The Matterhorn is a mountain in the Swiss Alps. It is notorious for climbers dying when the clouds descend, for they are unable to find their way down. Schaeffer tells after the cloud comes down that you hear a voice saying “I saw you when the cloud came down.  There is a ledge ten feet below you and if you jump, I can lead you down  from there.” Schaeffer suggests you might want to check out the voice,  ask questions. “Do you live here, have you climbed before?” If you get satisfactory answers you will still need to make a leap of faith, but it will be an informed leap.” I like to add  that yes it would be a leap of faith, but you will not be left wondering for the rest of your life if it was real. Either the ledge is there or not!  We are meant to experience the reality of God, in fact “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). 


Father,  one of the idols of the West is rationality, and while we know by reason, we also know by intuition and  experience.  And someone with an experience of You Lord,  is not at the mercy of  someone with with a theory or a theology. We are meant to know You. In fact eternal life is all about knowing You (John 17:3).   Adam and Eve did,  in Jesus Name Amen

Enter the serpent stage left

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made” (Genesis 3:1). If we get hung up on whether the serpent is literal or allegorical,  we will miss the drama here. The stage is set, what was created was very good (1:31). Adam and Eve in paradise were given just one prohibition – don't eat from the one tree (2:16). Well you know what's going to happen. And part of the drama is that Eve in her innocence, is sure she's okay.

Whatever your understanding of this passage,  the Bible makes it clear that he's very real this “great dragon, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan,  who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). He is the ultimate source of evil,  and his just end is sure (20:10). C.S. Lewis says “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and un-healthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.”  My African brothers and sisters have absolutely no doubt he's real, they have seen his power. They also know the believer has been given authority over him and his devils (Luke 10:19).

When we are not aware of his schemes, he has a field day planting thoughts into our hearts and minds. I think it likely that most of our negative self talk originates with him. He speaks in the first person “I am a looser,” causing us the think that such thoughts are our own. Have you ever been glad that others are not mind readers, because if anyone knew some of your thoughts, you would die? I have learned to disown such thoughts, take them captive, and cast them out (2 Corinthians 10:5)!  The problem of course, is that thoughts so often lead to action, bitter thoughts for example,  leading to getting even.  

Paul Tournier has suggested that the human heart is full of contradictions, that it never grasp more than a part of the truth, and that part of the truth is then generalized as if it were absolute. We are at the same time full of doubt and uncertainty,  while also being fully   convinced that we are right,  and everybody else wrong! I was first aware of this in others, then the Lord showed it to me, in me. I mean what were the chances that I alone among humans had escaped  self deception (one in seven billion?). They say the most common form of denial,  is the denial that I'm in denial. The Bible puts it this way “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it”  (Jeremiah 17:9)?

Father, I am remembering this morning the time I had murder in my heart. What is scary Lord is that even now I'm not at all sure I would not have followed through if I thought I could have gotten away with it! Then You showed me that I was far from innocent in that relationship. I had allowed the deceiver to deceived me big time. And I realize now Lord,  that that realization simply scratched the surface of the depth of deception of my heart, for “Who can know it?” We see it in others Lord, help us to see it in ourselves,  and so to flee to You for refuge and be saved,  and changed (Hebrews 6:18; Romans 12:2) in Jesus Name Amen

 Blueprint VI: Body, soul and spirit

There is much in the secular and faith based literature to help us in our relationship difficulties. But many times our difficulty are less  about knowing what to do, but rather doing it (Romans 7:18).  Paul describes this inability as our being dead in trespasses and sins. But then though the new birth, God has made us “alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1, 5). Our spirit is made alive, because the Spirit of God comes and dwells in us (2 Corinthian 1:22). And when we are lead by His Spirit, He comes and works in us. What that means is that together with Him we are able to do what without Him we cannot do (Galatians 5:16; 4:13). Long story short, many of the things we need to do, and do well in relationships in general, and in the marriage relationship in particular, are only possible when we fully embrace the help that comes through partnership with the Holy Spirit. Which one of us truly loves well?

God has already provided the believer with everything he or she needs to live life in all its fullness (2 Peter 1:3; John 10:10b).  Salvation is free (Ephesians 2:8, 9), but tapping into everything He has for us, will cost us everything we are and have. Only living sacrifices experience transformation from glory to glory (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 3:18). There are promises to be claimed.  One is that when we work all this out with fear and trembling, He works not only in the wherewithal (the grace) to do His will, but also work in those stubborn , often debilitating emotions to bring them too into line (Philippians 2:12, 13).

The grace of which I speak is particularly important when we are wrestling with such things as bitterness and resentment. If we don't deal with these things, particularly with our parents, this bitterness will poison all relationships (Hebrews 12:15). In it will also sabotage our bonding.  If we are having difficulty to forgive, we need His grace, and we need Him to work in our emotions. Again it all starts with absolute surrender.

Since we are talking largely in the context of marriage we also need to understand that the believer is forbidden to marry an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14). God's instructions are as always for our provision and protection, and the following illustration expresses well the danger of mixed marriages.  Our relationship to God and each other is pictured with God at the top of a triangle, and ourselves on opposite sides of the base. The point is,  that we both move closer to God, then we move closer to each other.  But if one has that as our primary goal,  but the other does not then we will actually get further apart.  And the believer is then left with a choice, and sadly what so often happens is the believer stops growing. Our bonding of course will also be missing the important spiritual component.  Paul gives separate instructions for those for whom this admonition comes too late, or if in the meantime one  of the two becomes a believer  (1 Corinthians 7:12-16).

Father,  there is much truth in the saying that without God man cannot,  without man God will not. Most of the time You will not do for us what we can do for ourselves, that would be enabling. But You  will help us with things we cannot do on our own. Indeed we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). For these,  and many other things,  we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen

Naked, and not ashamed: Openness and vulnerability

“They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25). In seeking to understand the deeper truths of Scripture, we need to note carefully what it says, but then also to ask what it means. And there's always more. In particular, there's more here than physical nakedness.  After talking about how the Word of God penetrates even to the thoughts and intents of the heart,  the writer to the Hebrews says “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (4:12, 13).  Can you imagine standing before the all seeing eyes of God, knowing that He knows everything you ever said, did or even thought, the good, the bad and the ugly, and yet have no sense of either guilt or shame? This was Adam and Eve before the fall.  And because of the mysterious work of Jesus Christ on the cross,  you and I can have this too (John 3:16; Isaiah 61:7). It's one of the benefit of the cross, but it is not automatic.  There's more to say!

But none of this is in view here in Genesis, rather the verse points to the innocence, openness, vulnerability and intimacy that Adam and Eve had with God,  and with each other before the fall. It also gives a clue as to what we are praying for,  when we pray Kingdom of God come on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).  Researcher Dr. Brene Brown has deep insight into vulnerability and shame. She I defines vulnerability as emotional risk, exposure and uncertainty.  She declares that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather it is our most accurate measurement of courage.  For most of us our experience of being vulnerable was not safe. But vulnerability, Dr Brown tells us, is the birthplace of innovation and creativity and change (i.e. growth – search Youtube)!

Openness, vulnerability and intimacy is, of course,  what we want (need) in the  marriage relationship. And when we come to the place where we think we have found Mr/Mrs right, what Danny silk calls the “la la factor” comes into play. You know the rose coloured glasses with which we see each other, and as a consequence, let down all boundaries.  Then,  when reality kicks in (usually after marriage),  and we start to see brutal truth that our partner is trouble (you are too by the way),  then the sense of betrayal goes deep. It's one of the reasons why so many divorces are so nasty,  and bitter.  One of the goals in Dany Silk's “Defining the Relationship” course, is to help couples get past the “la la factor” and get real.  This side of the fall,  all relationships are hard. And unless we are willing to do the hard work of what the Bible describes as “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17), our relationships are bound to fail. Iron sharpening iron,  is the picture the Bible paints of the refining process that takes place as, without blame or judgement, we lovingly work through our faults and differences.  

Father, for most of us, even the mention of shame brings anxiety. Thank You Lord for Your assurance that though we are flawed, yet we are fully accepted in the beloved (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 1:6).  Let the truth and reality of this sink deep into our hearts Lord. Then give us the courage to start the process of living in openness and vulnerability in Jesus Name Amen

Three Biblical “loves”

Although I was not following Him at the time,  nevertheless at age sixteen I heard His voice (John 10:27). Somehow I knew it was Him, I just knew! What I heard was “Why are you running away from me Phil, all I want you to do,  is to love for Me?” In the brashness of youth I replied “I don’t need you for that!” It would be another twelve years before I heard Him again. In the meantime I discovered that the love I thought I had,  was a very selfish love. It was all about me,  and I eventually reaped the fruit of that selfishness (Galatians 6:7), including a broken heart.

Our modern culture essentially equates love with sex. But there are three different Bible words,  all translated 'love' in English.  A little over simplistically (but see C. S. Lewis’ “Four Loves”),  the first is agape.  It's the unconditional love with which God so loved the World,  that He sent His son at incredible cost to Himself, to save us (John 3:16). Next there is phileo (Philadelphia is the city of brotherly – delphos, phileo - love). It is affectionate, friendship love. Finally there is eros.  We get our word erotic from this,  and for our purposes, we can think of it as sexual love.

As mentioned earlier, there's a reason for the order leave, cleave, one flesh in God's blueprint for marriage (Genesis 2:24).  And it's related to the three loves. You see when we engage in eros love before we have properly bonded in phileo love,  our phileo - friendship love - is stunted. I mean it's all about the sex! And when the “honeymoon” is over we'll have little to fall back on. How many people have I heard say “Sex ruined the relationship!” I mean hot baths cool quickly! Developing phileo love, is about learning to appreciate things about each other, establishing what we have in common, and working through things that have the potential to divide us (Proverbs 27:17). It is much easier to do this before  “one flesh” bonding. Here's a little experiment, try to think of something good about someone you have a problem with.  Perhaps I should speak for myself,  but I find it hard. I'm saying if, with our intended life long mates,  we've not taken time to develop philoe love, we'll pay for it one way or the other.

Regarding my own first sexual encounter, though unaware of it at the time, I was seduced. It wasn't exactly hard though! And though we dated for years, sex was really the only thing we had in common.  It held me captive (John 8:34). She finally got tired of waiting for me to marry her, and went off with another. And though I knew she was never intended for me, nevertheless the breaking of that first eros bond, left me with a broken heart!

Lord Jesus, You command us to (agape) love one another as You have loved us with Your unconditional agape love (John 15:12). I don't have in me to do this Lord, but You never command something without giving us the wherewithal (the Grace) to do it. My part is to abide in You, in total surrender and obedience, bringing my will into conformity with Yours (verses 9, 10). It's the intended normal Christian life, but so few live it!  No wonder the world's not listening (John 13:35). I repent this morning Lord, and I receive Your forgiveness and Grace to be all I can be in You, in Your precious name Amen.

God’s blueprint for marriage IV: One Flesh

One of the ways the Bible speaks about sexual intimacy is becoming one flesh (Genesis 2:24).  The modern world tends to see sex as something purely physical, and clearly, as with a prostitute (1 Corinthians 6:16),  it can be little more than that. But God's intention is for something far greater, far more intimate. Today sex is seen as only a little more significant, than a kiss.  Multiple sexual liaisons are seen as quite normal, giving rise to such movies as “The 40 year old virgin.” Some have asked if it is even possible!

Years ago I was speaking to a young woman who came from a home where there was widespread sexual abuse of both her and her sisters, and her brothers. I remember saying that most of us believe we come from normal homes,  even when they are severely dysfunctional. She agreed with me concerning her own home. So what is normal? What is normal in the movies today was considered pornography only a few short years ago. Likewise yesteryear the “freedom” with which we jump in and our of bed with each other, would be regarded as abnormal, as it is among puffins! But actually such “freedom,” it's not really freedom at all (John 8:34, 32). In fact,  every time we engage in, and break “one flesh relationships,” the bonding God intended His gift to be is weakened.  In particular, when we have developed illicit sexual appetites, they don't diminish just because we get married! There are many negative consequences, for example strings of broken hearts and relationships, and a multitude of fatherless children.There is evidence of life long trauma in the adult offspring of one flesh breakups.

Now God is not against sex, He invented it, and gave it to us as a precious and beautiful gift. But if we are to follow His blueprint, it is to be used only in a life long one man, one woman relationship within marriage. We are to leave father and mother, cleave to our spouse, and only then become one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Acts 15:29).  And He gave these instructions for our provision,  and protection. Likely in this climate of this pseudo, hyper, sexuality, 99% of us have blown it in this area, I did! But like the recovering alcoholic I can say, without hypocrisy,  please don't do what I did, it will cause you and others, endless pain.  

Too late? There is forgiveness of course (1 John 1:9), but the consequences remain. I can ask forgiveness for getting someone pregnant, but she will still be pregnant! This brings me to the deeper truth behind the one flesh picture. We need to see it as a kind of soul and spirit crazy glue, so that it cannot be broken without me leaving something of myself in her, and her leaving something of herself in me.  In recover circles we call this an ungodly soul tie. There are prayerful procedures for breaking such ties  (google ungodly soul ties)

Father thank You for Your wonderful gift of sexuality. Most of us have abused it Lord and I for one repent this morning. Thank You for forgiveness!  The sex urge is very strong Lord, so help us to not abuse Your forgiveness. Help us Lord, wherever it is possible without causing harm, to make amends, thus bearing fruit worthy of repentance. Thank You Lord that if we press into You, You will restore the years of destruction that the “locusts” have eaten (Joel 2:25) in Jesus Name amen

God’s blueprint for marriage III: Cleave

The world has abandoned marriage in droves, it's because it is so difficult. The disciples response to Jesus' strict teaching on divorce was “If such is the case, it's better not to marry” (Matthew 19:10). One major thing that gets in the way of bonding  (the 'cleave' in in our leave, cleave, one flesh discussion) is the will. Those pesky irreconcilable differences that are blamed for the break up of so many marriages, are really about a clash of wills. A recently divorced woman once told me “I can now paint my door red!” This was likely a symptom of a deeper clash of wills. The controversial passage on marriage in Ephesians 5 is preceded by the admonition for us to submit “to one another in the fear of the Lord” (verse 21).  

Yes it is difficult and it's getting worse. Part of this,  is that there has been a major shift in Western culture over the last few decades. In particular we're a lot less tolerant. After WWII,  parents wanted better than they had had, for their children. And to be honest from baby boomers on, whether we want to admit it,  we have essentially been spoiled. A hundred years ago life was all about survival, about putting food on the table, and a roof over our head. We didn't have time for squabbles about our petty rights.  As for micro aggression – it was overshadowed by the macro aggression of the nations.  Dealing with micro aggression in that generation would have been the equivalent of swatting mosquitos.  When you are concerned about if the children have enough to eat,  the colour of the door is irrelevant!

Long story short, our concern with what we want,  and want now, with our expectations and rights, these things have overtaken the survival mode of yesteryear. Now it's all about me, I, me, mine! We have become a culture with a sense of entitlement, a sense that the world owes us.

Another part of the problem, is that we don't know what we don't know. In particular we don't know (are in denial about) how unreasonable our expectations are. But not only do we not know this,   we don't know when the dragons of our 21st Century sense of entitlement will erupt and sabotage the bonding in any, and all our relationships. There is a widespread spirit of offence.

Thankfully, there is a solution. It starts with choosing, with His help,  to put to death the deeds and the desired of the selfish sinful nature  (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24). The normal Christian life is about being transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). There are many resources to help that we need to take advantage of (both before and after marriage).  But we also need to covenant with each other that divorce is not an option, and covenant to work through the issues.  Marriage is God's primary tool to make us like Christ.

Father, we have been immersed in this sense of entitlement for so long it feels normal. And it deeply affects our relationships even, or perhaps especially with You. We are made for relationship (Genesis 2:18), but these things prevent any but superficial ones. You love us Lord and want the best for us. As we seek with Your help to cleave, we surrender all, and ask You to help us do our part in being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) in Jesus Name Amen

Relationships: An invitation to change

Many sum up their experience with romantic relationships by saying “You can't live with them, and you can't live without them!”  We're looking at God's blueprint for marriage (Genesis 2:24), but no matter where you are in life, married, unmarried or divorced, there's much here to help improve our relationships. And I dare say, we all still have a lot to learn! Most of us have had painful experiences here, and it's useful to think of them as crossroads. One of the roads, the road less travelled, is the one taken by those who take responsibility for their part in what went wrong.
It seems to be typical, at the break up significant relationships, that both parties blame the other 100% for what went wrong.  I would venture to say however, that it's never 100% to 0%.  When we are in pain however, and just about all breakups are painful, we are likely in no mood to be objective,  especially when the other person's faults are so obvious. It is amazing when we think about these things (if we even think about them at all) how other people's faults loom so large, while our own, in comparison, seem so small.  

But concerning zero blame, even when there’s significant wrong done, our response to the wrong done is often, in and of itself, wrong! I'm thinking about bitterness and resentment and what flows out of that.  And it's not just about the perpetrator (Hebrews 12:15).  I'm not saying it's not understandable!  Been there, done that! But if we are looking for blame, we'll not have very far to look. Nobody's perfect, not even me!  

My point is this, at the break up of a significant relationship,  we either learn a great deal, or we learn essentially nothing, well nothing worth knowing (i.e all men are ...,  all women are ...). And if this is you, you will likely take your own worst enemy (you), into the next relationship. Of course the more we learn about relationships before we enter into marriage, the better. Premarital counselling, to my way of thinking is essential, and the principles are helpful even afterwards. And it's never too late to start to deal with relationship issues (I recommend Dany Silk's  “Defining the Relationship” course)

Coming back to the pain of it all, I like what C.S. Lewis says,  namely that God whispers to us in our pleasure,  but shouts to us in our pain. His point, is that pain points to the fact that something is wrong, and that we need to look into what God is telling us it means!  The believer is encouraged to see everything as an opportunity, an invitation even,  to grow. In particular, all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And part of that purpose is to make us more like Jesus, and to be fruitful (Romans 8:28,29).  But we need to cooperate, and here in relationships, it's about figuring our part in what when wrong, and making amends for it. It's the heart of twelve-step-programs, and there is much to say about these things.

Father, it's never too late to start to learn about relationships, how they work, and what in me needs to change in order to improve them,  even with You. You invite us to change with Your help, and in the fellowship of fellow travellers on this road. If we can't find such fellowships Lord,  help us to create them,  in Jesus Name Amen

The Book of books, the book of nature, the book of life

The Hebrew phrase 'Elleh Toledot' occurs throughout  Genesis in 2:4, 5:1,  6:9,  11:10 etc.  It is a literary device that divides Genesis into 'books' (see Genesis 5:1). It is translated consistently in KJV, ESV etc.,  as 'the generations of. ' The phrase acts as bookends to these 'books.'  Thus Genesis is a book of books, and in fact the Bible itself is “The Book of Books.”  In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read that all Scripture is inspired by God, or it is 'God breathed,' as one version has it.  Actually it could also be translated “God-Spirited,” that is it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. He is also the One who teaches us what it means (John 14:26). We are to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and allow the Bible to be our supreme authority, the measure against which all else is measured.

Of course God did not entirely restrict inspiration to Scripture. I believe that Handel's Messiah and twelve-step programs are inspired.  But the inspiration of Scripture is unique, and Scripture alone carries supreme authority. Having said that, the Bible itself points to two other 'books,' namely the 'book' of nature,  and the 'book' of life. Concerning the book of nature, we read for example,  that “the heavens proclaim the glory of God. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known” (Psalm 19:1,2 NLT). Modern Science began in the Church with the understanding that God is a God of order, and so it only made sense to study and research nature, in order to study Him,  by studying His creation.  Science goes wrong when it excludes God, especially as the author of all things. But even then, research which is essentially looking for truth,  will I believe, eventually lead back to Him. It might just take a long time.

The other 'book' to which the Bible points is the 'book' of life. The Bible in general,  and the book of Proverbs in particular,  strongly endorses the study of the soul. In particular we are admonished to   “Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7 NLT). Psychology of course,  is the study of the psyche (the Greek word for soul).  I have observed that anything in secular Psychology that works has a Biblical warrant. Take the genogram for example. A genogram is a kind of family tree that also chronicles family difficulties. The idea is to help us see negative family patterns so we can avoid them (see Exodus 20:5, 6).  But it's   one thing to know what to do, and quite another to do it. With Jesus as our higher power however, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).

Like Science, secular Psychology can go wrong when it rejects Biblical concepts and/or God. In fact “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). One problem then is secular Psychology's reluctance to say that anything is evil. It's particularly problematic in a society that calls evil good, and good evil. Bear in mind, we reap what we sow (Isaiah 5:20; Galatians 6:7).

Father, we are to study to be approved by You (2 Timothy 2:15). There's so much treasure in Your Word Lord, but we have to suss it out.  Help us, help me, as we seek for deeper meanings in these early chapters of Genesis. And help us to obey,  so that we may move more and more towards the abundant life (John 10:10b) in Jesus Name Amen

Independence, interdependence, codependence


Our society tends to regard independence as the highest form of maturity. Yet there is something higher than independence, it's that form of interdependence defined as the willingness to surrender some aspects of our independence for the good of the relationship. Clearly the level at which we are prepared to yield our independence, depends on the type of relationship.  However, too much independence can sabotage a relationship, especially in marriage! Proverbs warn “Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends” (18:1). Selfishness leaves little room for intimacy. On the other hand surrendering too much independence (or never having attained it) is also toxic. It's called codependence.  A codependent person is someone whose thinking and behaviour revolves around others. These relationships can become enmeshed, each feeding off the other person's emotions, such as when a mother takes on her teenage daughter’s anxiety and depression!

Clearly, the best expression and balance of this, needs to be found in the marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:21ff). And although Jesus was never married He does have something to teach us about this.  Four incidents in His Jesus are helpful here. The first is when Mary and Joseph had unwittingly left Him in Jerusalem. He was at the Temple about His Father's business.  They thought He was with the returning caravan.  At twelve,  Jesus is starting the journey from dependence, to independence. They gave him a mild rebuke,  He returned with them to Nazareth and was submissive to them (Luke 2:41-51).  Children are to obey and honour their parents. It comes with a promise that it may go well with them (Ephesians 6:1-3). He is growing in wisdom and stature (verse 52).

In the second story, they had run out of wine at a wedding that Jesus and his mother were attending. It would have been quite a disgrace! Jesus' mother  prevails on Him to do something about it, but He tells her “My time has not yet come!” Nevertheless,  He performs a miracle, changing water into wine (John 2:1-11). As a 30 something adult,  He continues to honour His mother, yielding some of his independence.  The next story is a counterbalances this. It was later when His mother and brothers came to take hold of Him, thinking He was out of His mind. Jesus was no longer a child, and no longer subject to them. Nevertheless He continues to honour his mother by gently putting up an appropriate boundary and disassociating himself from their intent (Mark 3:20-35). Having healthy boundaries is about knowing when and how to take a stand,  and when to yield.  They are about knowing who we are, and thus having the confidence to know what to do, and to do it well.

The final incident was as He was being crucified on the cross. From the cross He tasked the disciple John, with taking care of His mother, taking her into his home. He was no longer able to do so personally, but still in the midst of His pain He still fulfills His responsibility (John 19:26, 27).

Lord Jesus, it has been said that You are perfect theology, and indeed You show us the perfect balance between interdependence (leaving)  and honouring Your mother. As a child You were subject them, as an adult You gave us beautiful example of yielding part of Your independence.  Yet you were also able to put up appropriate boundaries. Finally Lord You did not neglect Your responsibility to provide for Your mother, even in the midst of unbelievable pain. We worship You this morning Lord in Your precious Name Amen

God's genius in inspiration

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Consider the Lord's job here, to write something that at some level could be understood by all people at all times, by cultures ancient and modern, by the wise and the unwise, by the rich and the  poor, by the intellectual and the uneducated.  At might want to say that He did a poor job, especially in the early chapters of Genesis, because clearly there is no part of Scripture that is more controversial, less understood,  and so widely ridiculed and dismissed than these chapters. Nevertheless, in my opinion He accomplished what He purposed.

We need to start by admitting that there can be a big difference between what Scripture says,  and what it means (interpretation). Jesus, for example, told us that unless we hate mother and father we cannot be his disciple (Luke 14:26). It’s hyperbole, exaggeration not meant to be taken literally. It means we are to love Him so much more than any earthly relationship. But if what I say is right how come there are so many different contradictory interpretations?

There's a principle here, “it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings (believers - Revelation 1:6) is to search it out” (Proverbs 25:2). Searching for the truth has more to do with obedience and the heart, than with the intellect (Jeremiah 29:13; John 8:31, 32; Romans 1:18).  And along these lines, Jesus thanked the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, that He has hidden these things from the wise and prudent and has revealed them to babes (Matthew 11:25).  Little children know, or perhaps feel,  what they are intended to know,  namely that they are loved, valued and secure, that life is good,  that it has meaning and purpose and, in the Father's love,  all is well. Little children don't get hung up on whether a day in the first chapter of Genesis was a literal 24 hour day,  or an period of time (as in “my father's day”). They don't get hung up on whether Adam and Eva are allegorical or literal. They don't judge whether someone is a true believer or not, according to whether they have “my”  interpretation of these things. They know intuitively that God created perfection, and that it was we who messed it up, and that somehow He has provided a way for us to get right with Him.

Little children then, do no get hung up on arguments about words which, among other things, come from pride (1 Timothy 6:4). Concentrating on such things actually prevent us from seeing and/or communicating the deeper truths. They are to miss whole point of what is written, namely to bring us into relationship with God (see John 5:39, 40; 1 John 5:13). I am not saying we should not be fully convinced in our minds about these things (Romans 14:5).  I'm also not saying we need to throw away reason and logic in order to believe. That would be to disobey the commandment to love God with all of our mind (Mark 12:30). And it seem the smarter you are,  the more work you have to do here. But if you truly love Him,  you will do that work!

Father,  we seek You and find You when we seek You with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13). It is a promise!  Hiding is part of Your genius in inspiration. It's the divine romance. You hide for us, not from us (Proverbs 25:2). And truly, You are not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27). Hiding also has to do with Your mercy, for we are responsible for the light we're given (Luke 12:48). But Lord, it's not Your desire that any should perish, but all come to life in You (2 Peter 3:9). Thank You Lord in Jesus Name Amen